SQA Chief Executive all set for start of new session

Nick PageWednesday 27 August 2025

Today, SQA Chief Executive, Nick Page, welcomed teachers and lecturers to the new session, and reaffirmed SQA's commitment to working with the education and skills community to support Scotland's learners.

In a message to educators in schools and colleges across Scotland, Mr Page said, "Thank you for your continued partnership in delivering qualifications that help young people and adult learners achieve their potential. Your dedication to teaching, learning and assessment makes a real difference to hundreds of thousands of learners every year, and we're grateful for everything you do.

"As many of you, and your teams, return from a well-earned summer break, I wanted to take a moment to share how much we look forward to working alongside you in supporting learners across Scotland."

Educator and learner support

Mr Page outlined the support that will be available for educators and learners. This includes National Qualification course reports, which will be published in batches from, next month, providing educators with valuable insights to enhance teaching and learning.

Understanding Standards resources, webinars and events will continue to be provided, giving educators essential subject-specific support. There will also be online question and answer sessions, giving teachers and lecturers the chance to ask questions and give feedback on SQA's updated AI guidance for qualification assessments, published in June.

A learner booklet, Your National Qualifications, will be made available online providing important information for learners on the rules for creating and submitting coursework. The 2026 exam timetable is also due to be published soon.

For colleges who took part in the pilot phase of the NextGen: HN project, they can now deliver validated qualifications as the pilot phase ends. Mr Page said, "We'll also use the 2025-26 session to test new digital platforms that will support wider rollout of NextGen: HNs. We'll keep you updated on progress."

'Your Voice' engagement programme

Mr Page described his enthusiasm for visiting schools, colleges and training providers around the country with the Chief Examiner as part of SQA's 'Your Voice' engagement programme. He said, "Over the coming weeks and months, I'll be working closely with the Chief Examiner, Donna Stewart, who is leading on qualifications reform. Between us we'll be visiting centres across Scotland. We're keen to hear your views and understand how we can better support you.”

100-day pledge

With reference to his 100-day pledge, Mr Page said, "Our newly appointed Senior Advisor for schools is working on a delivery plan to help drive culture change ahead of us becoming Qualifications Scotland. This will ensure that in the months and years to come, we'll have a stronger understanding of learning and teaching in Scotland’s schools."

Education reform and the future

SQA is working with the Scottish Government on education reform and what this means for Scottish qualifications in the future.

Mr Page said, "We're at the early planning stages of a programme of work to review and reform National Courses and their assessments. This will be based on evidence and will include rebalancing assessment methods across courses, working towards extending the range of approved assessment methods, exploring how graded courses can be organised into modules and exploring digital assessment opportunities.

"We'll carry out this work in line with feedback from educators, learners and other members of the education and skills community, ensuring that your voice and that of your learners remains central to our decisions."

Looking towards Qualifications Scotland

With reference to SQA's Prospectus for Change, Mr Page said that the organisation "remains committed to resetting relationships with educators and learners and to reforming qualifications and assessments so that they keep pace with rapid changes in society and the economy. However, we also want to reassure our centres that continuity of support remains our priority, and their liaison and regional managers will continue to serve them."

Following the Education (Scotland) Bill receiving Royal Assent, work is underway with the Scottish Government to establish the new Strategic Advisory Council and Interest Committees, ensuring they represent the interests of Qualifications Scotland’s stakeholders and give them a strong and meaningful voice.

In line with the Act, the Learner and the Teacher and Practitioner Interest Committees will be underpinned by published Charters, co-created with learners and educators, which clearly set out what these groups can expect from Qualifications Scotland.

Mr Page concluded his message to educators by saying that, "We're excited about the year ahead and look forward to working together to support Scotland's learners in achieving their very best."